eBooks

Classic Overdrive App is going, going…no, REALLY going this time!

The classic OverDrive app’s sunset date has been pushed back to the end of April 2023. In the weeks before, current in-app messaging will be updated to give users a final reminder to switch to Libby. After the OverDrive app is sunset, users who try to access your library’s collection in the OverDrive app will see a message, informing them they now must upgrade to Libby in order to access the collection.

Note that while Amazon has not yet accepted the submission of the Libby app to the Amazon Appstore, users with Kindle Fire devices can also sideload Libby manually by visiting the below link. In this librarian’s experience, this works about 9 out of 10 times (the exception being on Kindle Fire devices that are too old to be compatible).

The Libby App for Kindle Fire Tablets | by OverDrive

In addition, users have been asking if the RTL (Request to Library) feature, allowing patrons to request items be added to the collection that are currently not owned, will be added to Libby. The good news has been announced that Libby will soon release a new feature for users to discover and share interest in titles that are not yet in the library’s collection. This feature will fulfill a top request from users and provide powerful tools to evaluate your community’s reading interests. Stay tuned for this new update coming soon!

— Heather Auman, Western Allegheny Community Library

Continue ReadingClassic Overdrive App is going, going…no, REALLY going this time!

It Came from the Library!

Ready to hear a scary story involving two fantastic digital resources that are perfect for instigating Halloween fun?

It was a dark and stormy-uh…morning…when the library patron walked into their local library. They were there to check-out their favorite Halloween movie. When they approached the circulation desk they saw…A LIBRARIAN! No, something scarier…a TECHNICAL SERVICES LIBRARIAN!

This feels like an overreaction.

Anyway, they asked for help finding the movie but to their horror they couldn’t quite remember the title! It was based on a book written by Anne Rice. Brad Pitt was in the movie along with…Jonah Hill? No, you’re thinking of Moneyball. Did Anne Rice write Moneyball?

The patron’s movie plans were getting slashed right before their eyes until they were reminded of IMDB.com, the exact resource they needed — linked right there on their library’s website. The Internet Movie Database provides information on films, television series, and online streaming content. The patron was able to figure out the movie they were looking for and they found information about the cast, production crew, plot summaries, trivia, ratings, and reviews!

Yeah, I remember it being a 7.5 too.

They also learned through IMDB.com that Interview with the Vampire was recently re-VAMP-ed into a TV series. That’s going on the binge watch list. As the patron was checking out, they remembered their Interview with the Vampire themed Halloween party. That’s tonight! They meant to grab a copy of the original movie soundtrack! Surely, getting ahold of this item was going to be a hassle.

Oh no! The narrator was conveniently wrong for the sake of proving a point!

The patron was reminded of hoopla, the free resource through their library where they can stream all sorts of digital media like music, audio books, e-books, movies, TV and comics. They can stream this soundtrack directly from their computer or phone! They even found some Halloween e-books to read to their children after a fun night of trick-or-treating.

The library patron left with exactly what they were looking for and more, thanks to IMDB.com and hoopla. Both of which can be found on your very own library website. Scary stories don’t usually get endings as happy as this one. What a twist!

Derek, South Park Township Library

Continue ReadingIt Came from the Library!

Back to School – First Day Confidence

Starting school can be nerve wracking for any age, but it’s especially hard for the littles. Hoopla has put together a wonderful collection to help your kiddos start school with courage and poise. Below are some of my favorites to read in storytime! So grab your library card, a reading device and cuddle up on the couch for wonderful read-aloud books!

Back to school with Confidence

Gabi – Robinson Library

Continue ReadingBack to School – First Day Confidence

In any language, it’s still Overdrive!

There are a couple different ways to find e-books in languages other than English on Overdrive. First, you can click “Subject” at the top and then scroll down to find a “Non-English” subject like fiction, nonfiction, or even more specifically narrowed by age, like “Non-English Young Adult Fiction” in just one click.

The other option is to start with any search, subject, or interest level, and then narrow to the specific language you want in the side menu.

Don’t forget you can always toggle Overdrive to a different language mode altogether, so that the entire browsing and checkout experience appears in either Spanish or Chinese. That option shows up in the upper right corner of the website.

The Libby app has language options too, but they vary by your device and its operating system. Just click Libby and check under “Settings” however, and she’ll walk you through how it’s done!

– Heather Auman, Western Allegheny Community Library

Continue ReadingIn any language, it’s still Overdrive!